trishknits.com--yet another knitting blog

March 30, 2005

More of the Same... and Something New!

Clapotis Progress

Closeup of ladders and dropped stitches

Well, now... so sorry I've been away again for a few weeks! I got a new computer! And yes, I've been giddy sniffing that new computer smell! Actually, it's taken me this long to set up my server settings in my web program again so I could write. There, I've said it... this isn't a "real" blog! It's a website that looks like a blog! Yes, leave it to me to do everything the hard way.

(Told you I was high on new computer smell!)

As you can see above, my Clapotis is growing! I just dropped my 10th column of stitches on my way to and from work today. I'll be ready to do the decreases soon... but of course I've ordered more yarn for another project, so when that gets here I might have to take a Clapotis hiatus for a while. I'm not into the whole shawl ministry thing, and my recipient is a total guy, so let's just say it's a tough guy, beat the crap out of that cancer but I'll understand if you're tired of fighting, warm hug of a hat from a crazy friend. I'll write more as the project takes shape.

Until then... keep knitting, and stay positive!


March 14, 2005

Sticky Stitches

closeup of gold needle with dropped stitchesI snapped this photo of my dropped stitches to show this really cool bent-tipped needle that I got from Knitpicks. I've known about this style of tapestry/darning needle for a long time, but haven't tried it until now. I'm finding the crooked end to be very helpful in dropping the stitches of my Clapotis, which I am making with a soft and sticky wool yarn. I'm finding that I have to pick the stitches apart one by one, rather than laddering down in one giant, WHOOSH! Oh well, nothing worth doing ever comes easy, right? Only problem I'm finding with these wonderful needles is that they are not magnetic, so when I drop them (which is a fairly frequent occurence) I can't pick them up with the magnet on the tip of my handy-dandy reacher. Oh well...

Happy knitting!


March 13, 1005

The "C" Word... Again!

Clapotis progress

Not much actual news... still working on you-know-what. I dare not speak its name, else the folks on the knitlist will get their knickers in a twist! haha. (We had a good laugh about that expression over on the Clapotis Knit Along group this week. Thanks, gals!) Why is it that when more than a couple of people get excited about something on that group that somebody has to tell them to shut up? Last week it was Martha's Poncho.

Now, I'm only moderately into the poncho thing, as I do have two of them in current UFO status. (See Alison's Poncho and my Braided Cable Poncho as proof!) But I am so, like, not into Lion Brand Homespun or Martha Stewart! Still, for the good of the order, both the Bernat Website and the Lionbrand website have created versions of this much-reported fashion fad:

The Bernat Version
The Lionbrand Version(knit version of this poncho to be available on or about March 18.

Moving on... and planning to enjoy my knitting this week, no matter how many people would poo-poo on my Clapotis parade.


March 8, 2005

Snow!

Snow in my backyard


Not much else to say. I'm disgusted. When will Spring get here? I'm waiting...


March 7, 2005

Clapotis, She Is Growing...

Clapotis, largerMy Clapotis is now growing large enough that I think I will need to put it in a larger knitting bag for its next outing! The photo is a bit fuzzy but I posted it because finally it is easy to see the true colors of my yarn. I am growing anxious to be done and be moving on to my next project, or at least to talk about something else for a change on my blog. Maybe this is why I wasn't a regular updater. I knit too slowly to make it fresh. I'm jealous sometimes of faster knitters, but hey... I'm doing it. and that's what counts, right?

Today is my DD Diana's 9th birthday. We had a busy weekend filled with celebrations, so I think the actual birthday was a bit of a downer. I wish I had been a knitter when she was born... I would have loved to make her something. I did crochet, but my dear grandmother, the crochet artist of the family, was dying of ovarian cancer when I was pregnant with Diana, so I just couldn't make myself make anything for her.


Diana being baptizedMy Grandmother, as she lay dying, started this beautiful baptism gown for my baby girl that she never met. At the time of her passing she had the back all done and the bodice on the front done. My aunt finished it for me at my request, and I made certain that Diana wore it on her baptism day. It is a cherished heirloom in my family, and my son wore it when he was baptized six years later. This digital photo dates back to the days when digitizing photos was a new art, so this is the best I've got for now. Maybe someday soon I'll go back to the source photo and create a more detailed image of the beautiful shell stitch gown.

Coincidentally one of my earliest projects was a hat and scarf for Diana. I didn't know beans about knitting at that time, but I made up the pattern myself and I knitted it in the round using the Magic Loop technique. (See Sidebar for details.) I used Red Heart Kids' Girl's Dream yarn (I think that was it!) I don't consider myself a yarn snob, but I don't use acrylics much anymore. I learned a lot making this project, though, and for not a lot of money at that!

Until next time...


March 6, 2005

Scarves, Scarves, Scarves!

Sorry, folks, no photos today! But I have been busy. Today I spent the day adding patten links to the links library for the KnittingScarves group at Yahoo! The Links Section is only available to group members, but check it out! So far, the list contains more than 130 patterns. Enjoy!


March 2, 2005

Ahhh... Clapotis!

closeup of Clapotis

Well, my Clapotis is plugging right along! I've been working on it since almost the beginning of February. I wasn't thinking it would take this long to do, but now that the thing is getting bigger, I'm feeling a sense of calm come over me as I am working on it. It's hard to explain, but this has been probably the single most addictive project I've ever worked on. I think it's that every few stitches, you're doing something just a little different, because the repeat is over a very short span of only 6 stitches. I've always called myself the ADD Knitter, and I think that having short repeats in the rows helps to keep me interested. I'm off to bed for now, though... it's getting late here.

Until next time... Knit away...

Knitting Resources

Return to Blog Homepage

About Me - If you really GOTTA know who's writing this blog...

Got Feedback? Visit the Guestbook

Work in Progress: Aran Sampler Rainbow Blankie - Click this page to see all the cool designs that are going into this project!

Finished Object Gallery - This page doesn't have a lot on it! I'm notorious for not finishing projects. But check back from time to time as I just might surprise myself!

Trish's Knitting Library - This is an assortment of knitting books and related materials that I've enjoyed, so I thought I would share them with you.

Trish's Knitting Links - I surf a lot for knitting resources so I thought I'd start compiling my discoveries here. Check back often!

The KnitList - This is probably one of the oldest and most comprehensive knitting resources on the Web. There are literally thousands of members, and people are always ready to provide information and help.

KnitTalk - and if you're sick of the Knitlist and just want a warm fuzzy place to chat about knitting, try this group on for size.

KnitHatsNow - A mailing list devoted to people who love to knit hats! We maintain an always-growing list of free hat patterns available on the web.

KnittingScarves - A mailing list devoted to people who love to knit scarves! We maintain an always-growing list of scarf patterns available on the web. Crocheters are welcome, too.

Knitty - Very creative online knitting magazine. Great patterns and really great articles. Best of all, it's FREE.

Trish's Knitting Tips

Knitting Small Round Objects Without Double Pointed Needles (a.k.a., "The Magic Loop") - Learning this technique revolutionized the way I knit! The booklet which describes the technique in detail is published by Fiber Trends and is available through a huge variety of knitting retailers. I also found that I learned the technique on my own pretty well visiting this website: How to Knit Small Circumferences Using One Long Circular Needle.

Recently, I've found a website called Knitting Help.com where the Magic Loop technique is demonstrated. Click on the Advanced Techniques page to find the video.

My Own Patterns

Cables and Eyelets Scarf -- I put this pattern together and I'm enjoying it a lot so far! Of course, my sample is still in the UFO pile, but the pattern is a lot of fun to knit.

Fancy Cabled Braided Scarf -- My first pattern! I love cables, and I love this scarf. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Commercial Knitting Resources

The Yarn Market - My current favorite yarn store. A wide selection of beautiful and fun yarns.

Knitpicks - My other favorite yarn store. This one carries tons of accessories and doo-dads I can't live without! Recently, Knitpicks has begun carrying their own house-brand yarn. The reviews are good and the prices can't be beat! Be sure to check them out.

Denise Interchangeable Needles - I love these needles and I use them exclusively. I have two sets! The needle sizes range from 5-15, and the cables can be combined to make almost any length. I find these needles lightweight and easy to work with.

Favorite Knitting Blogs

WendyKnits - This one is a hoot to read and contains lots of info on really interesting projects! But, Kudos to Wendy's tip on Cabling Without a Cable Needle. I've read many directions before, but this one was the one that caused my "light bulb" to go off.

yarnstorm

JoanKnits

String or Nothing

Yarn Boy

Scarf Style Knitalong Blog


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"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." --Audre Lorde

©2004 Patricia Day; All Rights Reserved.
E-mail Trish: Trish@trishday.com